LETTERS are going out this week encouraging residents to hold a major street party in Southall on the day of the royal wedding.

Ealing Southall MP Virendra Sharma (pictured) and Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, have written to people in Clarence Street, where members of Kate Middleton's family once lived.

Mr Sharma said: "I have visited the area around Clarence Street and spoken to the people there.

"Generally, people are showing interest and they are hoping that it will change the image that some people have of the town centre. This

is something that people would like to share." Mr Sharma said planning for the event is in its very early stages but he already has an idea of the kind of spectacle he would like to see in Clarence Street. There will be Asian drummers and we are also hoping to have dancers there, so we are planning for that. It's not finalised yet but I am making a request to the local authority for any help that we may need."

This week, a spokesman for Ealing Council said it had received 13 applications from people who wanted to hold their own street party.